Lowlife burgled 85-year-old pensioner’s Latchford home

Ornela Borisova and another woman – whose identity is unknown and who remains at large – targeted an 85-year-old victim for the cruel crime.

The 23-year-old mum-of-three was tracked down after the burglary, which took place at a retirement village in Latchford, by investigating detectives who located her in west Yorkshire.

She was subsequently brought to justice at Chester Crown Court yesterday afternoon, Thursday, where assisted by a Bulgarian interpreter, she was sentenced on two charges of theft, one of burglary and one of fraud by false representation.

The court heard from prosecutor Patrick Gartland how as well as the Warrington offences, Borisova committed crimes in the Luton area on January 18 last year.

She was in a H&M store in The Mall when she stole a purse from a woman’s bag as she was pushing a child in a pushchair, removing bank cards before dumping the purse.

These cards were then used by the defendant to buy a handbag from River Island worth £28 and a 10p carrier bag, as well as a bottle of Coca Cola and can of Red Bull worth £4.15.

She also attempted to buy a £40 Gillette razor but the card was declined, and she was arrested in The Mall’s Primark store by security.

The Warrington matters occurred on Wednesday, February 22, when Borisova, along with the second unknown woman, deliberately targeted the octogenarian – due to her being deemed 'naïve and vulnerable with her age' – with the intention of breaking into her home.

The victim detailed that she was followed from the Halifax bank branch on Buttermarket Street and approached by the two women in a café.

She said that their behaviour seemed unnatural, which made her uncomfortable, with the court hearing that they were attempting to ‘gain her trust’.

The pair managed to obtain the victim’s then-address, at Belong Retirement Village in Latchford, and went on to steal her keys and fob by distracting her – all of which was caught on CCTV.

The women proceeded to travel to the victim’s home at the Loushers Lane site and accessed the residence using the victim’s stolen keys.

They ransacked the address while the victim was out, stealing money, two watches and morphine-based medication.

The keys and watches were later dumped, after Borisova discovered they had little monetary value, and have not been recovered.

Officers quickly identified Borisova as a suspect in the case and she was arrested on two days later at an address in Huddersfield by Warrington officers from Cheshire Police, assisted by colleagues from West Yorkshire Police.

In an impact statement, the victim said she is scared and frightened about going out alone, and she has lost her confidence and trust in people.

Ornela Borisova was jailed at Chester Crown Court

“She describes that the offence has destroyed her independence and confidence she has tried to maintain in her older age,” Mr Gartland said.

He also revealed that Borisova has two previous convictions for two theft offences, for which she was fined, while she was on bail for the Luton offences when committing the Warrington matters.

She was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to all offences when she appeared before the magistrates’ courts.

On behalf of her client, Anna Price said that her time on remand has ‘taught her a lesson’, and she now realises she needs to grow up.

“She asks me to tell your honour how deeply sorry she is for her behaviour, and that she realises now how wrong that behaviour was,” she said.

But this did not sway judge Simon Berkson in suspending her prison sentence, as he said: “You have a background of theft from people, and in Luton you stole a purse and then used the cards to obtain goods.

“You were placed before the courts, granted bail and released form custody, however while on bail for just over a year, you later, on February 22 in Warrington, committed a particularly mean offence and targeted an 85-year-old vulnerable lady.”

He added: “This is a serious crime, although you tried to minimise your behaviour when speaking to the probation officer.

“This is serious offending, for which in my judgement, appropriate punishment can only be achieved by way of an immediate custodial sentence.”

Borisova, of Clough Lane in Huddersfield, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, of which she will serve half before being released on licence.

Following her sentencing, DS Alexander Reeves said: “I can only imagine how distressing this ordeal has been for the victim in this case.

“I hope Borisova’s sentencing today will be able to provide her with some comfort and reassurance.

“I would like to thank our officers here in Warrington and our counterparts in West Yorkshire, whose quick work resulted in Borisova being brought in and sentenced swiftly.

“While Borisova’s sentencing today is a significant step in achieving justice for the victim, our enquiries to identify the second offender remain ongoing.

“I would encourage anyone with any information, to get in touch with us.”

To report any burglary or suspicious behaviour, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit the force’s website.

Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.